An Epic Final Four Review & Preview! Chiefs Vulnerable As Tyreek Traded To MIA? Celtics Uprising/Title Contenders? Yanks Judge: Offer By Opening Day? Mickelson Skips Masters
The final podcast of the month (and the quarter of 2022) sets up a huge sports week with lots of intriguing storylines abound as Episode #244 delivers on all that's happening and then some. On deck:
(5:27) The Final Four is set! You couldn't have predicted a better Semifinal Saturday as Duke will go up against hated rival in North Carolina. While Kansas will try to slay some demons as they have another date with Villanova with a national championship on the line. I'll cover how these teams got here, sprinkle in some disappointment with Gonzaga, Arizona and the cinderella St. Peter's Peacocks in Jersey City and look ahead to both matchups, the big takes from each game and the history of each school as it'll culminate in a national title.
(33:10) There were two big tranactions that transpired in the NFL last week with Matt Ryan going to Indianapolis. Does he have anything left? Then the Kansas City Chiefs send Tyreek Hill in a package for a plethora of draft picks to Miami. Are the Chiefs not as invincible with this move? What does this mean for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa? Will he able to produce with the pieces now put in place for him to succeed? And with the loss of another wide receiver in Green Bay, how does this affect Aaron Rodgers as the Pack try to make another run at a Super Bowl?
(41:40) Break up the Boston Celtics. They've been on a tremendous run since January. Are they a threat to come out of the East? Kyrie Irving can finally play in home games as the vaccine mandate has been lifted in New York City. Will he be able to build enough continuity to close out the regular season on a high note? What about Ben Simmons? Is he close to returning in the lineup? As for the Lakers, they're holding onto dear life to make the postseason. And the Suns continue to rise high and shine bright as they look to get back to the Finals.
(53:13) The NHL still has a bit more than a month to go to conclude their schedule. I'll provide an update throughout the league, including the Wild Card chase in each conference as we'll see if there'll be any drama as we approach the homestretch on this marathon of a season. I'll also share my thoughts and experience on the new UBS Arena, home of the NY Islanders, as I had a chance to take in a game there recently.
(59:54) Baseball will be in our consciousness soon enough as the new year begins in ten days. The big question of the moment in the sport. Are the Yankees going to offer a lucrative contract to pending free agent outfielder, Aaron Judge, before Opening Day?
(1:02:32) With the Masters a week and a half away, Phil Mickelson has bowed out of the tournament for the first time in almost 30 years. Will this do him some good?
(1:04:22) And in closing, a different installment of my Hero and Zero of the Week!
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.